The University of Lethbridge and the University of Saskatchewan athletics departments have jointly announced that the upcoming Canada West women's hockey series scheduled for October 30th and 31st has been postponed because more than one quarter of the U of L team is currently experiencing flu-like symptoms.
"It was very important to postpone this series to ensure that our team members and our visitors were not further exposed to the flu-like symptoms that have been spreading through the community," said assistant coach Deb Marek. "We currently have 6 players and coach Chandy Kaip away ill, and their health and well-being is critical."
The Pronghorns will face the Huskies January 2 and 3, 2010 instead of October 30 and 31, 2009.
U of L Health Centre manager Lori Weber, RN, said the team illness is unfortunate, but not a surprise considering that there are currently more than 300 students, staff and faculty listed as ill on the U of L's flu registry – about three percent of the school's student and employee population.
"The teams are doing the right thing in postponing their games and asking their players to self-isolate if they exhibit flu-like symptoms," Weber said. "This reinforces the fact that this illness, whether it is the seasonal flu or H1N1, is to be taken seriously."
Weber said that symptoms may include fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, fatigue, headache, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, vomiting and diarrhea.
"You can be contagious for one day before symptoms begin and possibly seven or more days after. A person is more contagious on days with fever," she said.
"I applaud the actions taken to protect the health of the sports teams involved. As a reminder, all those involved in any sport should be taking extra vigilance with cleaning sports equipment, not sharing water bottles, mouth guards or other equipment and notifying their coach/team when they are ill."
Weber added that staying at home and resting aids the ill person in their recovery and protects their teammates from exposure to influenza.
"Vaccination clinics are being held in Lethbridge, so please consider getting vaccinated."
To view complete information on flu-like illness and steps to take if ill please visit the U of L website at http://www.uleth.ca and click on the "Be Fluless, Not Clueless!" icon.
